Mobile device, system and method for medical image displaying using multiple mobile devices

ABSTRACT

A system, mobile device and method for displaying a medical image using multiple mobile devices are disclosed. A master mobile device for displaying a medical image includes a communication unit, a device information collection unit, and an arrangement designation unit. The communication unit wirelessly communicates with surrounding mobile devices and a medical image provision system. The device information collection unit searches for surrounding slave mobile devices that are to operate as slaves via the communication unit, collects the device information of each of the retrieved slave mobile devices while communicating with the retrieved slave mobile devices, and control the communication unit to transmit device information of the master mobile device and the collected device information to the medical image provision system. The arrangement designation unit receives recommended arrangement information from the medical image provision system, and outputs the recommended arrangement information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 14/284,819 filed on May 22, 2014, which claims under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2013-0057563 filed onMay 22, 2013, which applications are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of providing a medical imageusing multiple mobile devices and, more particularly, to a method ofproviding a medical image based on based on the characteristics of themedical image and the performance of mobile devices.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a picture archiving & communication system (PACS) is asystem in which the physical regions of patients are imaged via varioustypes of medical equipment and images are transmitted in a digitalmanner and then read via computers.

A PACS acquires the image information of patients, imaged using varioustypes of imaging equipment, such as a computed tomography (CT) scanner,a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, a fluoroscopy machine, acomputed tomography angiography (CTA) scanner, etc., in a hospital or aclinic, in a digital form, rather than a film form, stores it in adigital storage medium, and transmits it to terminals over a network,thereby enabling the image information of the patients to be searched,interpreted and used for diagnosis in real time in any place where aterminal is present, such as an examination room, a ward, or the like.

A PACS can improve the convenience of treatment and research because itmay be accessed even using a mobile device. However, in a search for amedical image using a mobile device, information that may be searchedfor at once is inevitably limited due to the limited size of a displayand the number of displays.

As an example of conventional multi-screen image display technology,U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011-0109526 entitled“Multi-Screen Image Display” was proposed. This preceding technologydiscloses a technology for controlling the dislocation of an imagebetween a plurality of display panels that occurs because an image of aboundary dimension part between the display panels is not output when animage is split and displayed on the display panels.

Although the conventional multi-screen display technology proposes adisplay method using a plurality of mobile devices, it does not displaya medical image based on the characteristics of the medical image.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method for displaying a medical imageusing multiple mobile devices based on the characteristics of a medicalimage and the performance of mobile devices.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind theabove problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the presentinvention is to provide a method and system for displaying a medicalimage using multiple mobile devices.

More particularly, an object of the present invention is to providetechnology for providing a medical image using a plurality of mobiledevices based on the characteristics of the medical image and theperformance of the mobile devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide technology inwhich the master mobile device of a system for displaying a medicalimage searches for surrounding slave mobile devices capable ofcommunication, collects the device information of the retrieved slavemobile devices, transmits the collected device information to a medicalimage provision system, and outputs recommended arrangement informationfor the mobile devices when receiving the recommended arrangementinformation from the medical image provision system, thereby designatingthe arrangement of the mobile devices.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide technologythat is configured to, when the medical image provision system receivesdevice information about mobile devices, designate the type of medicalimage to be output to each of the mobile devices based on the deviceinformation, designate a layout arrangement, generate recommendedarrangement information including the type of designated image and thedesignated layout arrangement, and transmit the recommended arrangementinformation to the master mobile device, thereby designating thearrangement of the mobile devices.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide technologythat is configured to, in the case where a medical image is split andprovided, when the medical image provision system receives deviceinformation about mobile devices, to designate an layout arrangement andthe regions of the medical image to be output by the mobile devicesbased on the device information, generate recommended arrangementinformation including the arrangement information and information aboutthe regions of the medical image assigned to the mobile devices, andtransmit the recommended arrangement information to the master mobiledevice, thereby designating the arrangement of the mobile devices.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provideda master mobile device for displaying a medical image, including acommunication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with surroundingmobile devices and a medical image provision system; a deviceinformation collection unit configured to search for surrounding slavemobile devices that are to operate as slaves via the communication unit;collect device information of each of the retrieved slave mobile deviceswhile communicating with the retrieved slave mobile devices; and controlthe communication unit to transmit device information of the mastermobile device and the collected device information to the medical imageprovision system; and an arrangement designation unit configured toreceive recommended arrangement information for the master mobile deviceand the retrieved slave mobile devices from the medical image provisionsystem; and output the recommended arrangement information.

The device information may include one or more of the resolution of adisplay included in each of the mobile devices, the size of the displayscreen, the contrast ratio of the display screen, the response speed ofthe display screen, information about whether or not the display screenis capable of outputting a three-dimensional (3D) image, the size of themobile device, the processing speed of the mobile device, and theremaining storage space of the mobile device.

The recommended arrangement information may include information aboutidentities (IDs) of the master mobile device and the retrieved slavemobile devices; arrangement information about a layout arrangement ofthe master mobile device and the retrieved slave mobile devices; andinformation about a type of medical image to be output by each of themaster mobile device and the retrieved slave mobile devices.

After outputting the recommended arrangement information, thearrangement designation unit, once the layout arrangement of the mastermobile device and the retrieved slave mobile devices has been receivedfrom a user or a type of medical image to be output to each of themaster mobile device and the retrieved slave mobile devices has beenselected by the user, may provide the communication unit, the receivedlayout arrangement or the type of selected image to be transmitted tothe medical image provision system via the communication unit.

The master mobile device may further include an image processing unitconfigured to receive a medical image to be displayed on the mastermobile device from the medical image provision system.

The master mobile device may further include an image processing unitconfigured to receive medical images to be output to the respectiveslave mobile devices from the medical image provision system and tocontrol the communication unit to transmit the received medical imagesto the slave mobile devices via the communication unit.

The master mobile device may further include an device interface unitconfigured to receive input information from each of the slave mobiledevices (information inputted by user at the slave mobile devices) andto control the communication unit to transmit the input information istransmitted to the medical image provision system via the communicationunit.

The recommended arrangement information, if a single medical image issplit and displayed on the master mobile device and the retrieved slavemobile devices, may include information about IDs of the master mobiledevice and the retrieved slave mobile devices, arrangement informationabout an layout arrangement of the master mobile device and theretrieved slave mobile devices, and information about regions of themedical image to be output by the master mobile device and the retrievedslave mobile devices.

The arrangement designation unit, if the layout arrangement of themaster mobile device and the retrieved slave mobile devices or a changeof the region of the medical image to be output by each of the mastermobile device and the retrieved slave mobile devices is received from auser after outputting the recommended arrangement information, maycontrol the communication unit to transmit the received layoutarrangement or the changed region of the medical image to the medicalimage provision system via the communication unit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a medical image provision system for displaying a medical imageusing multiple mobile devices, the medical image provision systemincluding a communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate witha plurality of mobile devices; a device information reception unitconfigured to receive device information of each of a master mobiledevice and slave mobile devices via the communication unit; and anarrangement unit configured to designate a type of medical image to beoutput to each of the master mobile device and the slave mobile devicesbased on the device information of each of the master mobile device andthe slave mobile devices;

designate a layout arrangement of the master mobile device and the slavemobile devices; generate recommended arrangement information comprisingthe type of medical image configured for each of the master mobiledevice and the slave mobile devices and the designated layoutarrangement; and control the communication unit to transmit therecommended arrangement information to the master mobile device via thecommunication unit.

The medical image provision system may further include an imageprocessing unit configured to send the medical images to be output bythe master mobile device and the slave mobile devices to the mastermobile device; receive input information, received from the mastermobile device or each of the slave mobile devices, to the master mobiledevice; determine a mobile device whose medical image to be output ischanged based on the input information; and control the communicationunit to transmit the changed medical image of the determined mobiledevice to the master mobile device via the communication unit.

The medical image provision system may further include an imageprocessing unit configured to send the medical images to be output bythe master mobile device and the slave mobile devices to the mastermobile device and the slave mobile devices; receive input informationfrom the master mobile device or each of the slave mobile devices;determine a mobile device whose medical image to be output is changedbased on the input information; and control the communication unit totransmit the changed medical image to the determined mobile device viathe communication unit.

The arrangement unit may set the layout arrangement of the master mobiledevice and the slave mobile devices to one or more of an layoutarrangement predetermined by a user, an layout arrangement configuredmost frequently, and an layout arrangement predetermined based on theuser's role.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a medical image provision system for displaying a medical imageusing multiple mobile devices, the medical image provision systemincluding a communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate witha plurality of mobile devices; a device information reception unitconfigured to receive device information of each of a master mobiledevice and slave mobile devices via the communication unit; and anarrangement unit configured to, if the medical image is split anddisplayed, designate an layout arrangement of the master mobile deviceand the slave mobile devices and regions of a medical image to be outputby the master mobile device and retrieved slave mobile devices based onthe device information of each of the master mobile device and the slavemobile devices; generate recommended arrangement information comprisingthe layout arrangement and information about the regions of the medicalimage configured for the master mobile device and the retrieved slavemobile devices; and control the communication unit to transmit therecommended arrangement information to the master mobile device via thecommunication unit.

The arrangement unit may be further configured to determine a part ofinterest in annotation, marking, or a header included in the medicalimage; and designate the layout arrangement so that the part of interestis placed in a mobile device having a highest resolution or a mobiledevice having a largest display.

The medical image provision system may further include an imageprocessing unit configured to send the medical images to be output bythe master mobile device and the slave mobile devices to the mastermobile device; receive input information, received from the mastermobile device or each of the slave mobile devices, to the master mobiledevice; determine a mobile device whose medical image to be output ischanged based on the input information; and control the communicationunit to transmit the changed medical image of the determined mobiledevice to the master mobile device via the communication unit.

The medical image provision system may further include an imageprocessing unit configured to send the medical images to be output bythe master mobile device and the slave mobile devices to the mastermobile device and the slave mobile devices; receive input informationfrom the master mobile device or each of the slave mobile devices;determine a mobile device whose medical image to be output is changedbased on the input information; and control the communication unit totransmit the changed medical image to the determined mobile device viathe communication unit.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a method of displaying a medical image in a master mobiledevice of a system for displaying medical image, the method includingsearching for surrounding slave mobile devices capable of communication;collecting the device information of each of the retrieved slave mobiledevices while communicating with the retrieved slave mobile devices;sending device information of the master mobile device and the collecteddevice information to a medical image provision system; receivingrecommended arrangement information for the master mobile device and theretrieved slave mobile devices from the medical image provision system;and outputting the recommended arrangement information.

The recommended arrangement information may include information aboutidentities (IDs) of the master mobile device and the retrieved slavemobile devices; arrangement information about a layout arrangement ofthe master mobile device and the retrieved slave mobile devices; andinformation about a type of medical image to be output by each of themaster mobile device and the retrieved slave mobile devices.

The recommended arrangement information, if a single medical image issplit and displayed on the master mobile device and the retrieved slavemobile devices, may include information about IDs of the master mobiledevice and the retrieved slave mobile devices, arrangement informationabout a layout arrangement of the master mobile device and the retrievedslave mobile devices, and information about regions of the medical imageto be output by the master mobile device and the retrieved slave mobiledevices.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a method of providing medical images from a medical imageprovision system to display on a plurality of mobile devices, the methodincluding receiving device information of each of a master mobile deviceand slave mobile devices; designating the type of medical image to beoutput to each of the master mobile device and the slave mobile devicesbased on the device information of each of the master mobile device andthe slave mobile devices; designating the layout arrangement of themaster mobile device and the slave mobile devices; generatingrecommended arrangement information comprising the type of imageconfigured for each of the master mobile device and the slave mobiledevices and the designated layout arrangement; and sending therecommended arrangement information to the master mobile device.

Designating the layout arrangement of the master mobile device and theslave mobile devices may include setting the layout arrangement of themaster mobile device and the slave mobile devices as one or more of anlayout arrangement predetermined by a user, an layout arrangementconfigured most frequently, and an layout arrangement predeterminedbased on the user's role.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a method of providing medical images from a medical imageprovision system to display on a plurality of mobile devices, the methodincluding receiving device information of each of a master mobile deviceand slave mobile devices; if the medical image is split and displayed,designating a layout arrangement of the master mobile device and theslave mobile devices and regions of a medical image to be output by themaster mobile device and retrieved slave mobile devices based on thedevice information of each of the master mobile device and the slavemobile devices; generating recommended arrangement informationcomprising the layout arrangement and information about the regions ofthe medical image configured for the master mobile device and theretrieved slave mobile devices; and sending the recommended arrangementinformation to the master mobile device via the communication unit.

Designating the layout arrangement and the regions of the medical imageto be output may include determining a part of interest in annotation,marking, or a header included in the medical image; and designating thelayout arrangement so that the part of interest is placed in a mobiledevice having a highest resolution or a mobile device having a largestdisplay.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more clearly understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a systemfor displaying a medical image using multiple mobile devices accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a medical imageprovision system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a master mobiledevice according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a slave mobiledevice according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of designating the displayof a medical image using multiple mobile devices according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of designating the displayof a medical image using multiple mobile devices according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a master mobiledevice configures the display of a medical image according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which the master mobiledevice provides a medical image after a configuration has been completedaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another example in which the mastermobile device provides a medical image after a configuration has beencompleted according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the medical imageprovision system configures the display of medical image according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the medical imageprovision system provides a medical image according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the medical imageprovision system configures the display of a medical image according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the medical imageprovision system provides a medical image after a configuration has beencompleted according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the medical imageprovision system configures an layout arrangement according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration screenthat is output when the arrangement of the master mobile device and theslave mobile devices is configured according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another example of a configurationscreen that is output when the arrangement of the master mobile deviceand the slave mobile devices is configured according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the arrangement ofthe master mobile device and the slave mobile devices is changedaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a medical image isprovided via the master mobile device and the slave mobile devicesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the arrangement ofthe master mobile device and the slave mobile devices is configured whena medical image is split according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the case where the medical imageconfigured in FIG. 19 is output via the master mobile device and theslave mobile devices;

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating another example in which thearrangement of the master mobile device and the slave mobile devices isconfigured when a medical image is split according to an embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the case where the medical imageconfigured in FIG. 20 is output via the master mobile device and theslave mobile devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference now shouldbe made to the elements of drawings, in which the same referencenumerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate thesame elements. In the following description, detailed descriptions ofknown elements or functions that may unnecessarily make the gist of thepresent invention obscure will be omitted.

A method and system for displaying a medical image using multiple mobiledevices according to embodiments of the present invention are describedin detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 22.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of thesystem for displaying a medical image using multiple mobile devicesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the system for displaying a medical image accordingto an embodiment of the present invention may include a medical imagingapparatus 110, a PACS 120, a hospital information system (HIS) 130, anRT information management server (RT-IS) 140, a CIS 150, a medical imageprovision system 160, a master mobile device 170, and slave mobiledevices 181, 182 and 183.

The medical imaging apparatus 110 is an apparatus configured to obtain amedical image of a patient. The medical imaging apparatus 110photographs a medical image of a patient, converts the a medical imageinto images in a digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM)format or a non-DICOM format, and provides the digital images to one ormore of the PACS 120, the RT-IS 140, and the medical image provisionsystem 160.

In this case, the medical imaging apparatus 110 may include computedtomography (CT) equipment, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment,positron emission tomography (PET) equipment, a CT simulator, andcomputed radiography (CR) equipment.

The PACS 120 stores a medical image, received from the medical imagingapparatus 110, in the DICOM format, and transfers the stored medicalimage to a device or a system that requests the medical image.

In this case, the PACS 120 may transfer the medical image to one or moreof the RT-IS 140 and the medical image provision system 160.

The HIS 130 is a system in which the overall management business of ahospital has been computerized and automated. The HIS 130 manages andtransfers all data within a hospital, such as the registration ofpatients, treatment, and receipt, and efficiently manages alladministrative procedures in the hospital.

In this case, the HIS 130 may manage and transfer data while operatingin conjunction with an outpatient clinic substation (OCS) and anelectronic medical record (EMR) system.

The CIS 150 is a digital medical system configured to store bio signalsand data, generated by electrocardiogram (ECG) equipment and commonoutpatient test equipment, in a digital form and to help the bio signalsand data to be searched for and diagnosed over a network.

The RT-IS 140 is a server configured to store and manage informationrelated to radiation treatment (RT). The RT-IS 140 stores medical imagesof a patient for generating RT plan data, the past RT plan data of thepatient, RT result data based on the RT plan data, a statistical modelbased on the RT result data, and the personalized data of the patient.

In this case, the RT-IS 140 may collect and store the personalized dataof the patient while operating in conjunction with the HIS 130 and theCIS 150, and may store predetermined RT plan data. The statistical modelmay be a statistical model for a change of RT plan data that has beengenerated based on the changed data of RT plan data collected inassociation with RT result data. Such a statistical model may begenerated by the RT-IS 140, or may be generated by separate equipmentand stored in the RT-IS 140.

The medical image provision system 160 may provide various types ofmedical images or medical information to the mobile devices 170, 181,182 and 183, or may split a single medical image and provide the splitmedical images to the mobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183, throughwireless communication with the master mobile device 170 and the slavemobile devices 181, 182 and 183.

The medical image provision system 160 needs to designate thearrangement of the mobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 prior to theprovision of a medical image. When designating the arrangement of themobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183, the medical image provision system160 configures the arrangement based on the characteristics of themedical image and the device characteristics of the mobile devices 170,181, 182 and 183.

Although in FIG. 1, the medical image provision system 160 has beenillustrated as being separate from the PACS 12, the medical imageprovision system 160 may be included in the PACS 120 in an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, themedical image provision system 160 may be included in the server of thePACS 120.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the medical imageprovision apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the medical image provision system 160 may beimplemented as a computing system including a control unit 210, a deviceinformation reception unit 212, an arrangement unit 214, an imageprocessing unit 216, a communication unit 220, and a storage unit 230.The control unit 210, the device information reception unit 212, thearrangement unit 214, and the image processing unit 216 may beimplemented in at least one processor in the computing system 160.

The communication unit 220 may include a receiver and a transmitter. Thecommunication unit 220 may be connected to the plurality of mobiledevices 170, 181, 182 and 183 through wireless communication, and may beconfigured to send and receive data to and from the plurality of mobiledevices 170, 181, 182 and 183. In this case, the communication unit 220may use short-distance communication. Available short-distance wirelesscommunication may include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, near field communication(NFC), and infrared communication.

The storage unit 230 may store an operating system operative to controlthe overall operation of the medical image provision system 160, anapplication program and data (e.g., a medical image and medicalinformation), and may store the device information of the plurality ofmobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 that is received via thecommunication unit 220 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, and recommended arrangement information set by thearrangement unit 214 or arrangement information, that is, informationabout the arrangement of the mobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 set bya user and received via the communication unit 220. The storage unit 230may be a storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive,etc.

The device information reception unit 212 may be implemented as asub-module of a processor in the computing system 160 and may receivethe device information of each of the master mobile device 170 and theslave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 that belong to the plurality ofmobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 is received via the communicationunit 220. In this case, the device information may include one or moreof the resolution of a display included in each mobile device, the sizeof the display, the contrast ratio of the display, the response speed ofthe display, information about whether the display is capable ofoutputting a 3D image, the size of the mobile device, the processingspeed of the mobile device, and the remaining storage space of themobile device.

The arrangement unit 214 may also be implemented as another sub-moduleof the processor in the computing system 160, may designate the type ofmedical image to be output to each of the master mobile device 170 andthe slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 based on based on the deviceinformation of each of the master mobile device 170 and the slave mobiledevices 181, 182 and 183, may designate the layout arrangement of themaster mobile device 170 and the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183,may generate recommended arrangement information including the type ofmedical image configured in each of the master mobile device 170 and theslave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 and a designated layoutarrangement, and provide the recommended arrangement information to betransmitted to the master mobile device 170 via the communication unit220.

For example, if the type of medical image requires high resolution forreading, the arrangement unit 214 may make a configuration so that themedical image is placed in a mobile device that belongs to the mobiledevices 170, 181, 182 and 183 and that has the highest resolution. Inthis case, if the type of medical image requires high resolution, thearrangement unit 214 may make a configuration so that the medical imageis placed in a mobile device that belongs to mobile devices having highresolution, that has high processing speed, and that has substantialstorage space because the amount of received data is large.

Furthermore, if the type of medical image is a three-dimensional (3D)image, the arrangement unit 214 may make a configuration so that themedical image is placed in a mobile device that belongs to the mobiledevices 170, 181, 182 and 183 and that is capable of displaying a 3Dimage.

In this case, the type of medical image to be output may include amedical image captured using photographing equipment, such as CTequipment or MRI equipment, a 3D medical image rendered in a 3D way, amedical image displaying an affected part, a coronal medical image, asagittal medical image, and a horizontal medical image. The type ofmedical image to be output may further include medical information inaddition to a medical image. In this case, the medical information mayinclude a worklist, medical records, patient information, and a medicalplan.

The arrangement unit 214 may set the layout arrangement of the mastermobile device 170 and the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 to oneor more of an layout arrangement predetermined by a user, an layoutarrangement designated most frequently, and an layout arrangementpredetermined based on a user's role. In this case, the role of the usermay include one or more of a radiologist, a clinician, a technician, anda transcriber.

If a medical image is split and provided to the mobile devices 170, 181,182 and 183, the arrangement unit 214 may designate the layoutarrangement of the master mobile device 170 and the slave mobile devices181, 182 and 183 and the region of a medical image to be output by eachof the master mobile device 170 and retrieved slave mobile devices 181,182 and 183 based on the device information of each of the master mobiledevice 170 and the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183, may generaterecommended arrangement information including the layout arrangement andinformation about the region of the medical image configured for each ofthe master mobile device 170 and retrieved slave mobile devices (e.g.,181, 182 and 183), and may control the communication unit 220 so thatthe recommended arrangement information is transmitted to the mastermobile device 170 via the communication unit 220.

In this case, if the medical image is split and provided to the mobiledevices 170, 181, 182 and 183, the arrangement unit 214 may checkannotation, marking or the part of interest of a header included in themedical image, may check the location of the part of interest in themedical image, and may designate the layout arrangement so that the partof interest of the medical image is placed in a mobile device having thehighest resolution or a mobile device having the largest display.

The image processing unit 216 may also be implemented as anothersub-module of the processor in the computing system 160, may sendmedical images to the master mobile device 170 and the slave mobiledevices 181, 182 and 183 from which the medical images will be output,may receive input information from the master mobile device 170 or eachof the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183, may determine a mobiledevice whose medical image to be output is changed based on the inputinformation, and may control the communication unit 220 so that thechanged medical image is transmitted to the checked mobile device viathe communication unit 220.

In this case, the input information may include information forselecting part of a medical image, information for enlarging or reducinga medical image, information for inputting writing or figures to amedical image, information for marking a specific area of a medicalimage, and information for executing a specific application on a medicalimage.

The image processing unit 216 may send medical images to be output bythe master mobile device 170 and the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and183 to the master mobile device 170, may receive input informationreceived by the master mobile device 170 or the slave mobile devices181, 182 and 183 from the master mobile device 170, may determine amobile device whose medical image to be output is changed based on theinput information, and may control the communication unit 220 so thatthe changed medical image of the checked mobile device is transmitted tothe master mobile device 170 via the communication unit 220.

The control unit 210 may control the overall operation of the medicalimage provision system 160. Furthermore, the control unit 210 mayperform the functions of the device information reception unit 212, thearrangement unit 214 and the image processing unit 216. The control unit210, the device information reception unit 212, the arrangement unit 214and the image processing unit 216 have been illustrated as beingseparate in order to separately describe the functions. Accordingly, thecontrol unit 210, the device information reception unit 212, thearrangement unit 214 and the image processing unit 216 may beimplemented in a processor in the medical image provision system 160.Alternatively, the control unit 210 may include at least one processorconfigured to perform part of the functions of the device informationreception unit 212, the arrangement unit 214 and the image processingunit 216.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the master mobiledevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the master mobile device 170 may include a controlunit 310, a device information collection unit 312, an arrangementdesignation unit 314, an image processing unit 316, an device interfaceunit 318, a communication unit 320, a storage unit 330, a display unit340, and an user interface unit 350. The control unit 310, the deviceinformation collection unit 312, the arrangement designation unit 314,the image processing unit 316, and the device interface unit 318 may beimplemented as at least one processor in the master mobile device 170.

The communication unit 320 is a communication interface device includinga receiver and a transmitter, and is configured to send and receive datathrough wireless communication with surrounding mobile devices (e.g.,181, 182 and 183) and the medical image provision system 160. In thiscase, the communication unit 320 may use short-distance communication.Available short-distance wireless communication may include Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, NFC, and infrared communication. Among them, Bluetooth orWi-Fi may be preferably used because they are most widely applied tomobile terminals and provide the widest coverage.

The storage unit 330 may store an operating system for controlling theoverall operation of the master mobile device 170, an applicationprogram, and data (e.g., telephone numbers, SMS messages, compressedimage files, and moving images), and may also store the deviceinformation of the master mobile device 170 according to an embodimentof the present invention, the pieces of device information of the slavemobile devices 181, 182 and 183 which are received via the communicationunit 320, recommended arrangement information received via thecommunication unit 320, and arrangement information changed by thearrangement designation unit 314. The storage unit 330 may be a storagedevice including flash memory or a hard disk drive.

The display unit 340 may display information input by a user orinformation provided to the various menus of the master mobile device170, and recommended arrangement information, medical images and medicalinformation received from the medical image provision system 160. Thedisplay unit 340 may be formed of a liquid crystal display (LCD),organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), or active matrix organic lightemitting diodes (AMOLEDs), but is not limited thereto. If the displayunit 340 is formed of a touch screen, the display unit 340 may functionas the user interface unit 350.

The user interface unit 350 receives input from the user of the mastermobile device 170, and provides the input to the control unit 310. Inparticular, the user interface unit 350 may receive a change ofrecommended arrangement information, a change of a medical image, or achange of medical information. Various input devices may be used as theuser interface unit 350. For example, the user interface unit 350 mayinclude numerical keys 0˜9, text keys, navigator keys, and a pluralityof function keys. The user interface unit 350 may be formed of a keypadconfigured to provide key input data, corresponding to a key pressed bya user, to the control unit 310, or may be formed of a touch screenincluding a touch sensor for detecting a touch location on a displayscreen as input.

The device information collection unit 312 may be a sub-module of aprocessor in the master mobile device 170, may search for surroundingslave mobile devices (e.g., 181, 182 and 183) that will operate asslaves via the communication unit 320, may collect the deviceinformation of the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183through communication with the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182and 183, and may control the communication unit 320 so that the deviceinformation of the master mobile device 170 stored in the storage unit330 and the collected device information of the slave mobile devices181, 182 and 183 are transmitted to the medical image provision system160.

In this case, the device information may include one or more of theresolution of a display included in each retrieved mobile device, thesize of the display, the contrast ratio of the display, the responsespeed of the display, information about whether or not the display isable to output a 3D image, the size of the mobile device, the processingspeed of the mobile device, and the remaining storage space of themobile device.

The arrangement designation unit 314 may be another sub-module of theprocessor in the master mobile device 170, may receive recommendedarrangement information for the master mobile device 170 and retrievedslave mobile devices (e.g., 181, 182 and 183) from the medical imageprovision system 160, and may output the recommended arrangementinformation to the display unit 340.

In this case, the recommended arrangement information may includeinformation about the IDs of the master mobile device 170 and theretrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183, arrangement informationabout the layout arrangement of the master mobile device 170 and theretrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183, and information aboutthe type of medical image to be output by each of the master mobiledevice 170 and the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration screenthat is output when the arrangement of the master mobile device and theslave mobile devices is configured according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 15, the arrangement designation unit 314 may outputinformation about the ID of the master mobile device 170 on the lefttop, and may output the layout arrangement of the mobile devices 170,181, 182 and 183 and information about the IDs of the respective mobiledevices 170, 181, 182 and 183.

In this case, the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 outputrespective pieces of ID information.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another example of a configurationscreen that is output when the arrangement of the master mobile deviceand the slave mobile devices is configured according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 16, the arrangement designation unit 314 may outputinformation about the ID of the master mobile device 170 on the lefttop, and may output the layout arrangement of the mobile devices 170,181, 182 and 183, information about the IDs of the respective mobiledevices 170, 181, 182 and 183, and sample images indicative of the typesof medical images to be output by the respective mobile devices 170,181, 182 and 183.

In this case, the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 outputrespective pieces of ID information.

Referring back to FIG. 3, if the layout arrangement of the master mobiledevice 170 and the retrieved slave mobile devices (e.g., 181, 182 and183) is received from a user or the type of medical image to be outputto each of the master mobile device 170 and the retrieved slave mobiledevices 181, 182 and 183 is selected by the user after recommendedarrangement information has been output, the arrangement designationunit 314 may control the communication unit 320 so that the receivedlayout arrangement or the type of selected image is transmitted to themedical image provision system 160 via the communication unit 320.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the arrangement ofthe master mobile device and the slave mobile devices is changedaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 17, when a user drags a sample indicative of the typeof medical image to be output by the mobile device 181 having the IDinformation “2” and drops the sample between the mobile device 182having the ID information “3” and the mobile device 183 having the IDinformation “4,” the arrangement designation unit 314 may detect a userinput operative to interchange the type of medical image to be output bythe mobile device 181 having the ID information “2” and the type ofmedical image to be output by the mobile device 182 having the IDinformation “3” with each other. Furthermore, the arrangementdesignation unit 314 may provide the changed information to betransmitted to the medical image provision system 160 via thecommunication unit 320.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a medical image isprovided via the master mobile device and the slave mobile devicesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 18, once the configuration of an arrangement of themobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 has been completed, as illustratedin FIG. 17, the mobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 output receivedmedical images.

If a single medical image is split and displayed on the master mobiledevice 170 and the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183, therecommended arrangement information may include information about theIDs of the master mobile device 170 and the retrieved slave mobiledevices 181, 182 and 183, arrangement information about the layoutarrangement of the master mobile device 170 and the retrieved slavemobile devices 181, 182 and 183, and information about the regions of amedical image to be output by the master mobile device 170 and theretrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the arrangement ofthe master mobile device and the slave mobile devices is configured whena medical image is split according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 19, if arrangement information included in receivedrecommended arrangement information is indicative of an layoutarrangement in which a single medical image is split in a 2×2 form, thearrangement designation unit 314 outputs the medical image split in the2×2 form, and indicates mobile devices that will output the splitregions of the medical image by indicating information about the IDs ofthe mobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 that are assigned to therespective split regions.

Furthermore, the arrangement designation unit 314 indicates a referencebased on which the medical image is split as a dotted line (i.e., achain double-dashed line) as in the example of FIG. 19, and determinesthat an input for moving the dotted line is an input for changing aregion to be output when the input is detected.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the case where the medical imageconfigured in FIG. 19 is output via the master mobile device and theslave mobile devices.

Referring to FIG. 20, once the configuration of an arrangement of themobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 has been completed, as illustratedin FIG. 19, the medical image is received, and the regions of themedical image to be output by the respective mobile devices 170, 181,182 and 183 are output.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating another example in which thearrangement of the master mobile device and the slave mobile devices isconfigured when a medical image is split according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 21, if arrangement information included in receivedrecommended arrangement information is indicative of an layoutarrangement in which a single medical image is split in a 1×3 form, thearrangement designation unit 314 outputs the medical image split in the1×3 form and indicates mobile devices that will output the split regionsof the medical image by indicating information about the IDs of themobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 that are assigned to the respectivesplit regions.

Furthermore, the arrangement designation unit 314 indicates a referencebased on which the medical image is split as a dotted line (i.e., achain double-dashed line) as in the example of FIG. 21, and determinesthat an input for moving the dotted line is an input for changing aregion to be output when the input is detected.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the case where the medical imageconfigured in FIG. 20 is output via the master mobile device and theslave mobile devices.

Referring to FIG. 22, once the configuration of an arrangement of themobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 has been completed, as illustratedin FIG. 21, the medical image is received, and the regions of themedical image to be output by the respective mobile devices 170, 181,182 and 183 are output.

Referring back to FIG. 3, when the layout arrangement of the mastermobile device 170 and retrieved slave mobile devices (e.g., 181, 182 and183) or a change of the regions of the medical image to be output by themaster mobile device 170 and the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182and 183, respectively, is received from a user after the output ofrecommended arrangement information if a medical image is split andprovided to the mobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183, the arrangementdesignation unit 314 may control the communication unit 320 so that thereceived layout arrangement or the changed regions of the medical imageare transmitted to the medical image provision system 160 via thecommunication unit 320.

The image processing unit 316 may be another sub-module of the processorin the master mobile device 170, may receive a medical image to beoutput to/displayed on the master mobile device 170 from the medicalimage provision system 160, and may control the display unit 340 so thatthe received medical image is displayed.

Furthermore, the image processing unit 316 may receive medical images tobe output to the respective slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 fromthe medical image provision system 160, and may control thecommunication unit 320 so that the medical images to be output to theslave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 are transmitted to the slavemobile devices 181, 182 and 183 via the communication unit 320.

If the master mobile device 170 does not relay communication between themedical image provision system 160 and the slave mobile devices 181, 182and 183, the device interface unit 318 may detect only information inputby a user via the user interface unit 350, and may provide the detectedinformation to be transmitted to the medical image provision system 160via the communication unit 320.

If the master mobile device 170 relays communication between the medicalimage provision system 160 and the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and183, the device interface unit 318 may provide information input by auser via the user interface unit 350 or information about the input ofthe slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 via the communication unit 320to be transmitted to the medical image provision system 160 via thecommunication unit 320.

The control unit 310 may control the overall operation of the mastermobile device 170. Furthermore, the control unit 310 may perform thefunctions of the device information collection unit 312, the arrangementdesignation unit 314, the image processing unit 316, and the deviceinterface unit 318. The control unit 310, the device informationcollection unit 312, the arrangement designation unit 314, the imageprocessing unit 316, and the device interface unit 318 have beenillustrated as being separate only in order to simply describe andexplain the functions. Accordingly, the control unit 310, the deviceinformation collection unit 312, the arrangement designation unit 314,the image processing unit 316 and the device interface unit 318 may beimplemented in one or more processors in the master mobile device 170.Alternatively, the control unit 310 may include at least one processorconfigured to perform part of the functions of the device informationcollection unit 312, the arrangement designation unit 314, the imageprocessing unit 316 and the device interface unit 318.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the slave mobiledevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the slave mobile device (e.g., 181) may include acontrol unit 410, a device information provision unit 412, an IDinformation determination unit 414, an image processing unit 416, andevice interface unit 418, a communication unit 420, a storage unit 430,a display unit 440, and an user interface unit 450. The control unit410, the device information provision unit 412, the ID informationdetermination unit 414, the image processing unit 416, and the deviceinterface unit 418 may be implemented as at least one processor in theslave mobile device 181.

The communication unit 420 is a communication interface device includinga receiver and a transmitter. The communication unit 320 is connected tothe master mobile device 170 or the medical image provision system 160through wireless communication, and is configured to send and receivedata to and from the master mobile device 170 or the medical imageprovision system 160. In this case, the communication unit 420 may useshort-distance communication. Available short-distance wirelesscommunication may include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, near field communication(NFC), and infrared communication. Among them, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi may bepreferably used because they are most widely used in mobile terminalsand provide the widest coverage.

The storage unit 430 may store an operating system operative to controlthe overall operation of the slave mobile device 181, an applicationprogram, and data (e.g., telephone numbers, SMS messages, compressedimage files, and moving images), and may also store the deviceinformation of the slave mobile device 181 and information about the IDof the slave mobile device 181, which is received via the communicationunit 420, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The display unit 440 may display information input by a user orinformation provided to the various menus of the slave mobile device181, information about the ID of the slave mobile device 181, medicalimages, and medical information. The display unit 440 may be formed ofan LCD, OLEDs, or AMOLEDs, but is not limited thereto. If the displayunit 440 is formed of a touch screen, the display unit 440 may functionas the user interface unit 450.

The user interface unit 450 receives input from the user of the slavemobile device 181, and provides the input to the control unit 410. Inparticular, the user interface unit 450 may receive a change of amedical image or a change of medical information. Various input devicesmay be used as the user interface unit 450. For example, the userinterface unit 450 may include numerical keys 0˜9, text keys, navigatorkeys, and a plurality of function keys. The user interface unit 450 maybe formed of a keypad configured to provide key input data,corresponding to a key pressed by a user, to the control unit 410, ormay be formed of a touch screen including a touch sensor for detecting atouch location on a display screen as input.

The device information provision unit 412 may be a sub-module of aprocessor in the slave mobile device 181. When a request for the deviceinformation of the slave mobile device 181 is received from the mastermobile device 170 via the communication unit 420, the device informationprovision unit 412 control the communication unit 420 so that the deviceinformation of the slave mobile device 181 stored in the storage unit430 is transmitted to the master mobile device 170 via the communicationunit 420.

The ID information determination unit 414 may be another sub-module ofthe processor in the slave mobile device 181 and may receive informationabout the ID of the slave mobile device 181 or recommended arrangementinformation via the communication unit 420 from the master mobile device170 or the medical image provision system 160.

When recommended arrangement information is received, the ID informationdetermination unit 414 checks information about the ID of the slavemobile device 181 included in the recommended arrangement information.

The image processing unit 416 may be another sub-module of the processorin the slave mobile device 181. Once the arrangement of the mobiledevices 170, 181, 182 and 183 has been configured, the image processingunit 416 may provide to the display unit 440 the ID information checkedby the ID information determination unit 414 to be displayed on thedisplay unit 440.

Thereafter, the image processing unit 416 may receive a medical image tobe output to the slave mobile device 181 via the communication unit 420from the master mobile device 170 or the medical image provision system160, and may provide to the display unit 440 the received medical imageto be displayed on the display unit 440.

In this case, the type of received medical image may include a medicalimage captured using photographing equipment, such as CT equipment orMRI equipment, a 3D medical image rendered in a 3D way, a medical imagedisplaying an affected part, a coronal medical image, a sagittal medicalimage, and a horizontal medical image. The received medical image mayinclude medical information in addition to a medical image. In thiscase, the medical information may include a worklist, a medical record,patient information, and a medical plan.

If the master mobile device 170 does not relay communication between themedical image provision system 160 and the slave mobile devices 181, 182and 183, the device interface unit 418 may detect information input by auser via the user interface unit 450, and may provide the detectedinformation to be transmitted to the medical image provision system 160via the communication unit 420.

If the master mobile device 170 relays communication between the medicalimage provision system 160 and the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and183, the device interface unit 418 may provide information input by auser via the user interface unit 450 to be transmitted to the mastermobile device 170 via the communication unit 320.

The control unit 410 may control the overall operation of the slavemobile device 181. Furthermore, the control unit 410 may perform thefunctions of the device information provision unit 412, the IDinformation determination unit 414, the image processing unit 416 andthe device interface unit 418. The control unit 410, the deviceinformation provision unit 412, the ID information determination unit414, the image processing unit 416 and the device interface unit 418have been illustrated as being separate only in order to simply explainand describe the functions. Accordingly, control unit 410, the deviceinformation provision unit 412, the ID information determination unit414, the image processing unit 416, and the device interface unit 418may be implemented in one or more processors in the slave mobile device181. Alternatively, the control unit 410 may include at least oneprocessor configured to perform part of the functions of the deviceinformation provision unit 412, the ID information determination unit414, the image processing unit 416, and the device interface unit 418.

A method of displaying a medical image using multiple mobile devicesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention is described indetail below with reference to drawings.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of designating the displayof a medical image using multiple mobile devices according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the master mobile device 170 searches forsurrounding slave mobile devices (e.g., 181, 182 and 183) capable ofcommunication at step S510. For example, if Bluetooth communication isused, the master mobile device 170 may search for the slave mobiledevices 181, 182 and 183 through pairing for communication connection.

The master mobile device 170 collects the device information of therespective retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 whilecommunicating with the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183at step S512.

The master mobile device 170 sends its device information and thecollected device information to the medical image provision system 160at step S514.

The medical image provision system 160 generates recommended arrangementinformation, including the type of medical image configured for each ofthe mobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 and the layout arrangement ofthe configured mobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183, at step S516.

The medical image provision system 160 sends the recommended arrangementinformation to the master mobile device 170 at step S518, and sendsinformation about the IDs of the respective slave mobile devices 181,182 and 183 to the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 at step S520.

The master mobile device 170 outputs the recommended arrangementinformation for the master mobile device 170 and the retrieved slavemobile devices 181, 182 and 183, received from the medical imageprovision system 160, at step S522.

The slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 output the pieces of the IDinformation received from the medical image provision system 160 at stepS524.

The medical image provision system 160 sends a medical image to beoutput by the master mobile device 170 to the master mobile device 170at step S526, and sends medical images to be output by the respectiveslave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 to the slave mobile devices 181,182 and 183 at step S528.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of designating the displayof a medical image using multiple mobile devices according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the master mobile device 170 searches forsurrounding slave mobile devices (e.g., 181, 182 and 183) capable ofcommunication at step S610. For example, if Bluetooth communication isused, the master mobile device 170 may search for the slave mobiledevices 181, 182 and 183 through pairing for communication connection.

The master mobile device 170 collects the device information of therespective retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 whilecommunicating with the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183at step S612.

The master mobile device 170 sends its device information and thecollected device information to the medical image provision system 160at step S614.

The medical image provision system 160 generates recommended arrangementinformation, including the type of medical image configured for each ofthe mobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 and the layout arrangement ofthe configured mobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183, at step S616.

The medical image provision system 160 sends the recommended arrangementinformation to the master mobile device 170 at step S618.

The master mobile device 170 receives the recommended arrangementinformation for the master mobile device 170 and the retrieved slavemobile devices 181, 182 and 183 from the medical image provision system160 at step S618, and sends information about the IDs of the respectiveslave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 to the slave mobile devices 181,182 and 183 at step S560.

The master mobile device 170 outputs the received recommendedarrangement information at step S622.

The slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 receive the information abouttheir ID from the master mobile device 170 at step S620, and output thereceived ID information at step S624.

The medical image provision system 160 sends all medical images to beoutput by the respective mobile devices to the master mobile device 170at step S626.

The master mobile device 170 receives the medical images to be output bythe master mobile device 170 and the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and183 at step S626, and sends medical images that belong to the receivedmedical images and that are to be output by the slave mobile devices181, 182 and 183 to the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 at stepS628.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the master mobiledevice configures the display of a medical image according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the master mobile device 170 searches forsurrounding slave mobile devices (e.g., 181, 182 and 183) capable ofcommunication at step S710.

The master mobile device 170 collects the device information of therespective retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 whilecommunicating with the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183at step S712.

The master mobile device 170 sends its device information and thecollected device information of the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and183 to the medical image provision system 160 at step S714.

Furthermore, once recommended arrangement information for the mastermobile device 170 and the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and183 has been received from the medical image provision system 160 atstep S716, the master mobile device 170 outputs the recommendedarrangement information at step S718.

In this case, the recommended arrangement information may be configuredto include information about the IDs of the master mobile device 170 andthe retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183, arrangementinformation about the layout arrangement of the master mobile device 170and the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183, and informationabout the type of medical image to be output by each of the mastermobile device 170 and the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and183.

Alternatively, if a single medical image is split and displayed on themaster mobile device 170 and the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182and 183, the recommended arrangement information may be configured toinclude information about the IDs of the master mobile device 170 andthe retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183, arrangementinformation about the layout arrangement of the master mobile device 170and the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183, and informationabout the regions of the medical image to be output by the master mobiledevice 170 and the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183,respectively.

Once the layout arrangement of the master mobile device 170 and theretrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 has been received from auser or the type of medical image to be output by each of the mastermobile device 170 and the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and183 has been selected by the user at step S720, the master mobile device170 sends the received layout arrangement or the type of selected imageto the medical image provision system 160 at step S722.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which the master mobiledevice provides a medical image after the master mobile device has beenconfigured according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, once a medical image to be output to the mastermobile device 170 has been received from the medical image provisionsystem 160 at step S810, the master mobile device 170 displays thereceived medical image at step S812.

Furthermore, once information input by a user has been received at stepS814, the master mobile device 170 sends the input information to themedical image provision system 160 at step S816.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another example in which the mastermobile device provides medical images after the master mobile device hasbeen configured according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, once medical images to be output to the mastermobile device 170 and the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 havebeen received from the medical image provision system 160 at step S910,the master mobile device 170 sends medical images that belong to thereceived medical images and that are to be output by the slave mobiledevices 181, 182 and 183 to the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 atstep S912.

The master mobile device 170 displays the received medical image at stepS914.

Furthermore, once information input by a user has been received from themaster mobile device 170 or the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 atstep S916, the master mobile device 170 sends the received inputinformation to the medical image provision system 160 at step S918.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the medical imageprovision apparatus configures the display of medical image according toan embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the medical image provision system 160 receivesthe device information of the master mobile device 170 and the slavemobile devices 181, 182 and 183 from the master mobile device 170 atstep S1010.

The medical image provision system 160 designates the type of medicalimage to be output to each of the master mobile device 170 and the slavemobile devices 181, 182 and 183 based on the device information of themaster mobile device 170 and the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183at step S1012.

Furthermore, the medical image provision system 160 designates thelayout arrangement of the master mobile device 170 and the slave mobiledevices 181, 182 and 183 at step S1014.

In this case, one or more of an layout arrangement predetermined by auser, an layout arrangement designated most frequently, and an layoutarrangement designated based on a user's role may be set as the layoutarrangement.

The medical image provision system 160 generates recommended arrangementinformation, including the type of medical image designated for each ofthe master mobile device 170 and the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and183 and the configured layout arrangement, at step S1016.

The medical image provision system 160 sends the recommended arrangementinformation to the master mobile device 170 at step S1018.

Once a request for a change of the type of medical image to be output toeach of the mobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 or a change of thelayout arrangement has been received from the master mobile device 170at step S1020, the medical image provision system 160 changes the typeof medical image to be output to each of the mobile devices 170, 181,182 and 183 or the layout arrangement in response to the request at stepS1022.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the medical imageprovision apparatus provides a medical image according to an embodimentof the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, the medical image provision system 160 sendsmedical images to be output by the master mobile device 170 and theslave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 to the master mobile device 170and the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 at step S1110.

In this case, the medical image provision system 160 sends all themedical images to be output by the respective mobile devices to themaster mobile device 170 so that medical images that belong to themedical images and that are to be output by the slave mobile devices181, 182 and 183 are transferred to the slave mobile devices 181, 182and 183 via the master mobile device 170.

Furthermore, once information input by a user has been received from themaster mobile device 170 or the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 atstep S1112, the medical image provision system 160 determines a mobiledevice whose medical image to be output is changed based on the inputinformation at step S1114.

In this case, the input information may be received from each of themobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 or from all the mobile devices 170,181, 182 and 183 via the master mobile device 170.

The medical image provision system 160 sends a corresponding changedmedical image to each of the checked mobile device at step S1116. Inthis case, the medical image provision system 160 may send correspondingchanged medical images to the respective checked mobile devices or maysend all the changed medical images to the master mobile device 170 sothat the changed medical images are transferred to the respectivechecked mobile devices.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the medical imageprovision apparatus configures the display of medical images accordingto another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, the medical image provision system 160 receivesthe device information of the master mobile device 170 and the slavemobile devices 181, 182 and 183 from the master mobile device 170 atstep S1210.

If a single medical image is split and displayed, the medical imageprovision system 160 designates the layout arrangement of the mastermobile device 170 and retrieved slave mobile devices (e.g., 181, 182 and183) and the regions of the medical image to be output by the mastermobile device 170 and the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and183 based on the device information of the master mobile device 170 andthe retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 at step S1212.

The medical image provision system 160 generates recommended arrangementinformation, including the configured layout arrangement and informationabout the regions of the medical image configured for the master mobiledevice 170 and the retrieved slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183, atstep S1214.

The medical image provision system 160 sends the recommended arrangementinformation to the master mobile device 170 at step S1216.

Furthermore, once a request for a change of a region of the medicalimage to be output or a change of the layout arrangement has beenreceived from the master mobile device 170 at step S1218, the medicalimage provision system 160 changes the designation of the region of themedical image or the layout arrangement in response to the request atstep S1220.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the medical imageprovision apparatus provides a medical image after a designation hasbeen completed according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the medical image provision system 160 sends amedical image whose regions to be output by the master mobile device 170and the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 have been configured tothe master mobile device 170 and the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and183 at step S1310.

In this case, the medical image provision system 160 may sendinformation about the regions to the respective mobile devices 170, 181,182 and 183 along with the same medical image, or may send medicalimages, split for the respective mobile devices, to the respectivemobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183.

Alternatively, the medical image provision system 160 may send bothinformation about the regions of the medical image to be output by therespective mobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 and the medical image tothe master mobile device 170 so that the information about the regionsof the medical image and the medical image are transferred to the slavemobile devices 181, 182 and 183 via the master mobile device 170.

Furthermore, when information input by a user is received from themaster mobile device 170 or the slave mobile devices 181, 182 and 183 atstep S1312, the medical image provision system 160 determines a mobiledevice whose medical image is changed based on the input information atstep S1314. In this case, the input information may be received fromeach of the mobile devices 170, 181, 182 and 183 or from all the mobiledevices 170, 181, 182 and 183 via the master mobile device 170.

Furthermore, the medical image provision system 160 sends acorresponding changed medical image to the determined mobile device atstep S1316. In this case, a corresponding changed medical image may betransmitted to each of the determined mobile devices, or all the changedmedical images may be transmitted to the master mobile device 170 sothat the changed medical images are transferred to the respectivechecked mobile devices.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the medical imageprovision apparatus configures an layout arrangement according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, the medical image provision system 160 determinesa part of interest in annotation, marking, or a header included in amedical image at step S1410.

The medical image provision system 160 determines the location of thepart of interest in the medical image at step S141.

Furthermore, the medical image provision system 160 designates an layoutarrangement so that the part of interest is placed in a mobile devicehaving the highest resolution or a mobile device having the largestdisplay at step S1414.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the medicalimage provision system receives the device information of mobiledevices, the medical image provision system can designate the type ofmedical image to be output to each of the mobile devices based on thedevice information, can designate the layout arrangement of the mobiledevices, can generate recommended arrangement information including thetype of configured image and the configured layout arrangement, and cansend the recommended arrangement information to the master mobile deviceso that the arrangement of the mobile devices can be designated.Accordingly, one or more medical images can be effectively displayed viamultiple mobile devices.

The method of displaying a medical image using multiple mobile devicesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention may be implementedin the form of program instructions and stored in a computer-readablemedium. The computer-readable medium may store the program instructions,data files, and data structures solely or in combination. The programinstructions recorded on the medium may have been specially designed andimplemented for the present invention or may have been known to thoseskilled in the computer software field and be used. Examples of thecomputer-readable medium include all types of hardware devices speciallyconfigured to store and execute the program instructions, such asmagnetic media including a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetictape, optical media including compact disc (CD) ROM and digital videodisc (DVD) ROM, magneto-optical media including a floptical disk, RAM,and flash memory. Examples of the program instructions include machinecode, such as one produced by a compiler, and high-level language codeexecutable by computers using an interpreter. The hardware device may beconfigured with one or more software modules for performing theoperation of the present invention, and the vice versa.

Furthermore, the method of displaying a medical image using multiplemobile devices according to an embodiment of the present invention maybe implemented in the form of program instructions that may be executedvia various computer means, and may be loaded onto system memory andexecuted by a processor in the form of program instructions.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention asdisclosed in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical image provision system for displaying amedical image with multiple mobile devices, the medical image provisionsystem comprising: a communication unit configured to wirelesslycommunicate with a plurality of mobile devices; a processor configuredto: receive device information of each of a master mobile device andslave mobile devices via the communication unit; designate a type ofmedical image to be output to each of the master mobile device and theslave mobile devices based on the device information of each of themaster mobile device and the slave mobile devices; designate an layoutarrangement of the master mobile device and the slave mobile devices;generate recommended arrangement information comprising the type ofmedical image designated for each of the master mobile device and theslave mobile devices and the designated layout arrangement; and controlthe communication unit to transmit the recommended arrangementinformation to the master mobile device via the communication unit. 2.The medical image provision system of claim 1, wherein the deviceinformation comprises one or more of: a resolution of a display includedin each of the mobile devices, a size of the display screen, a contrastratio of the display screen, a response speed of the display screen,information about whether or not the display screen is capable ofoutputting a three-dimensional (3D) image, a size of the mobile device,a processing speed of the mobile device, and a remaining storage spaceof the mobile device.
 3. The medical image provision system of claim 1,the processor is further configured to: send the medical images to beoutput by the master mobile device and the slave mobile devices to themaster mobile device; receive input information, received from themaster mobile device or each of the slave mobile devices, to the mastermobile device; determine a mobile device whose medical image to beoutput is changed based on the input information; and control thecommunication unit to transmit the changed medical image of thedetermined mobile device to the master mobile device via thecommunication unit.
 4. The medical image provision system of claim 1,the processor is further configured to: send the medical images to beoutput by the master mobile device and the slave mobile devices to themaster mobile device and the slave mobile devices; receive inputinformation from the master mobile device or each of the slave mobiledevices; determine a mobile device whose medical image to be output ischanged based on the input information; and control the communicationunit to transmit the changed medical image to the determined mobiledevice via the communication unit.
 5. The medical image provision systemof claim 1, the processor is further configured to: set the layoutarrangement of the master mobile device and the slave mobile devices toone or more of a layout arrangement predetermined by a user, a layoutarrangement designated most frequently, and a layout arrangementpredetermined based on the user's role.
 6. A medical image provisionsystem for displaying a medical image with multiple mobile devices, themedical image provision system comprising: a communication unitconfigured to wirelessly communicate with a plurality of mobile devices;a processor configured to: receive device information of each of amaster mobile device and slave mobile devices via the communicationunit; if the medical image is split and displayed, designate a layoutarrangement of the master mobile device and the slave mobile devices andregions of a medical image to be output by the master mobile device andretrieved slave mobile devices based on the device information of eachof the master mobile device and the slave mobile devices; generaterecommended arrangement information comprising the layout arrangementand information about the regions of the medical image configured forthe master mobile device and the retrieved slave mobile devices; andcontrol the communication unit to transmit the recommended arrangementinformation to the master mobile device via the communication unit. 7.The medical image provision system of claim 6, wherein the deviceinformation comprises one or more of: a resolution of a display includedin each of the mobile devices, a size of the display screen, a contrastratio of the display screen, a response speed of the display screen,information about whether or not the display screen is capable ofoutputting a three-dimensional (3D) image, a size of the mobile device,a processing speed of the mobile device, and a remaining storage spaceof the mobile device.
 8. The medical image provision system of claim 6,the processor is further configured to: determine a part of interest inannotation, marking, or a header included in the medical image; anddesignate the layout arrangement so that the part of interest is placedin a mobile device having a highest resolution or a mobile device havinga largest display.
 9. The medical image provision system of claim 6, theprocessor is further configured to: send the medical images to be outputby the master mobile device and the slave mobile devices to the mastermobile device; receive input information, received from the mastermobile device or each of the slave mobile devices, to the master mobiledevice; determine a mobile device whose medical image to be output ischanged based on the input information; and control the communicationunit to transmit the changed medical image of the determined mobiledevice to the master mobile device via the communication unit.
 10. Themedical image provision system of claim 6, the processor is furtherconfigured to: send the medical images to be output by the master mobiledevice and the slave mobile devices to the master mobile device and theslave mobile devices; receive input information from the master mobiledevice or each of the slave mobile devices; determine a mobile devicewhose medical image to be output is changed based on the inputinformation; and control the communication unit to transmit thedetermined medical image to the checked mobile device via thecommunication unit.
 11. A method of providing medical images from amedical image provision system to display on a plurality of mobiledevices, the method comprising: receiving, by a processor within themedical image provision system, device information of each of a mastermobile device and slave mobile devices; designating, by the processorwithin the medical image provision system, a type of medical image to beoutput to each of the master mobile device and the slave mobile devicesbased on the device information of each of the master mobile device andthe slave mobile devices; designating, by the processor within themedical image provision system, a layout arrangement of the mastermobile device and the slave mobile devices; generating, by the processorwithin the medical image provision system, recommended arrangementinformation comprising the type of image configured for each of themaster mobile device and the slave mobile devices and the designatedlayout arrangement; and sending, by the processor within the medicalimage provision system, the recommended arrangement information to themaster mobile device.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein thedesignating the layout arrangement of the master mobile device and theslave mobile devices comprises: setting, by the processor within themedical image provision system, the layout arrangement of the mastermobile device and the slave mobile devices as one or more of an layoutarrangement predetermined by a user, an layout arrangement configuredmost frequently, and an layout arrangement predetermined based on theuser's role.
 13. A method of proving, medical images from a medicalimage provision system to display on a plurality of mobile devices, themethod comprising: receiving, by a processor within the medical imageprovision system, device information of each of a master mobile deviceand slave mobile devices; if the medical image is split and displayed,designating, by the processor within the medical image provision system,a layout arrangement of the master mobile device and the slave mobiledevices and regions of a medical image to be output by the master mobiledevice and retrieved slave mobile devices based on the deviceinformation of each of the master mobile device and the slave mobiledevices; generating, by the processor within the medical image provisionsystem, recommended arrangement information comprising the layoutarrangement and information about the regions of the medical imageconfigured for the master mobile device and the retrieved slave mobiledevices; and sending, by the processor within the medical imageprovision system, the recommended arrangement information to the mastermobile device via the communication unit.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the designating the layout arrangement and the regions of themedical image to be output comprises: determining, by the processorwithin the medical image provision system, a part of interest inannotation, marking, or a header included in the medical image; anddesignating, by the processor within the medical image provision system,the layout arrangement so that the part of interest is placed in amobile device having a highest resolution or a mobile device having alargest display.